A potluck is a gathering of people where each participant is expected to bring a dish of food to be shared among the group. Baptist Potluck is where we will be gathering for "food for thought" from Baptists and "food for the soul" from the Word of God.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

It is said that in Africa there is a fruit called the "taste berry", because it changes a person's taste so that everything eaten tastes sweet and pleasant. Sour fruit, even if eaten several hours after the "taste berry," becomes sweet and delicious.

Gratitude is the "taste berry" of Christianity, and when our hearts are filled with gratitude, nothing that God sends us seems unpleasant to us. Sorrowing heart, sweeten your grief with gratitude.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The following is a copy of an article written by Spanish writer SebastianVilar Rodrigez and published in a Spanish newspaper on 5-22-07. It doesn't take much imagination to extrapolate the message to the rest of Europe - and possibly to the rest of the world. =====================================================

REMEMBER AS YOU READ -- IT WAS IN A SPANISH PAPER Date: Tue, 22 May 2007 14:30:20 -0500

ALL EUROPEAN LIFE DIED IN AUSCHWITZ By Sebastian Vilar Rodrigez(*)

I walked down the street in Barcelona, and suddenlydiscovered a terrible truth - Europe died in Auschwitz .We killed six million Jews and replaced them with 20 million Muslims . In Auschwitz we burned a culture, thought, creativity, talent. We destroyed the chosen people, truly chosen, because they produced great and wonderful people who changed the world.

The contribution of this people is felt in all areas of life: science, art, international trade, and above all,as the conscience of the world. These are the peoplewe burned.

And under the pretense of tolerance, and because wewanted to prove to ourselves that we were cured of thedisease of racism, we opened our gates to 20 millionMuslims, who brought us stupidity and ignorance, religious extremism and lack of tolerance, crime andpoverty, due to an unwillingness to work and supporttheir families with pride.

They have turned our beautiful Spanish cities into the third world, drowning in filth and crime.

Shut up in the apartments they receive free from the government, they plan the murder and destruction oftheir naive hosts.

And thus, in our misery, we have exchanged culture for fanatical hatred, creative skill for destructive skill, intelligence forbackwardness and superstition.

We have exchanged the pursuit of peace of the Jews ofEurope and their talent for hoping for a better futurefor their children, their determined clinging to lifebecause life is holy, for those who pursue death, forpeople consumed by the desire for death for themselvesand others, for our children and theirs.

What a terrible mistake was made by miserable Europe. ***********************************

A lot of Americans have become so insulated from reality that they imagine America can suffer defeat without any inconvenience to themselves.

2. In 1972 at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by a. Olga Corbettb. Sitting Bullc. Arnold Schwarzeneggerd. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

3. In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by: a. Lost Norwegiansb. Elvisc. A tour bus full of 80-year-old womend. Muslim m ale extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

4. During the 1980's a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by:a. John Dillingerb. The King of Swedenc. The Boy Scouts d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

5. In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by:a. A pizza delivery boyb. Pee Wee Herman c. Geraldo Rivera d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

6. In 1985 the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by: a. The Smurfsb. Davey Jonesc. The Little Mermaidd. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

7. In 1985 TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a US Navy divertrying to rescuepassengers was murdered by:a. Captain Kiddb. Charles Lindberg c. Mother Teresad. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

9. In 1993 the World Trade Center was bombed the first time by: a. Richard Simmonsb. Grandma Mosesc. Michael Jordand. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

10. In 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by:a. Mr. Rogersb. Hillary Clinton, to distract attention from Wild Bill's women problemsc. The World Wrestling Federationd. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

11. On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take out the World Trade Centers and of the remaining two, one crashedinto the US Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers.Thousands of people were killed by: a. Bugs Bunny, Wiley E. Coyote, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fuddb. The Supreme Court of Floridac. Mr. Bean d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

12. In 2002 the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against:a. Enronb. The Lutheran Church c. The NFLd. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

No, I really don't see a pattern here to justify profiling, do you? So, to ensure we Americans never offend anyone, particularly fanatics intent on killing us, airport security screeners will no longer be allowed to profilecertain people. They must conduct random searches of 80-year-old women, little kids, airline pilots with proper identification, secret agents who are members of the President's security detail, 85-year old Congressmen with metal hips, and Medal of Honor winning and former Governor Joe Foss, but leaveMuslim Males between the ages 17 and 40 alone lest they be guilty of profiling.Let's send this to as many people as we can so that the Gloria Aldreds and other dunder-headed attorneys along with Federal Justices that want to thwartcommon sense, feel ashamed of themselves -- if they have any such sense .

As the writer of the award winning story "Forrest Gump" so aptly put it, "Stupid is as stupid does."

Come on people wake up!!! Keep this going. Our Country and our troopsneed our support.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Rom 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”. Mark 16:15

One of the great phenomena of the ages is this-only a small percentage of the worlds population really knows who Jesus is.

Men thoughtlessly take His name in vain a million times a day. He is the greatest personage ever to walk the face of the earth. More books have been printed about Him than about any other character of history.

But who is He . . . do you know? Everybody ought to know who Jesus is . . . and that’s why the following quotations speak for themselves.

He Is The God-Man Sent From Heaven To Reveal The Heart Of God-

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoeverbelieveth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He Is The Lover Of Your Soul-

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Matt. 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

I Tim. 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came intothe world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

He Is The Personal Saviour From Sin Of All Who Trust In Him-

I Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

He Is The Risen, Living Saviour Who Saves To The Uttermost-

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God byhim, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

He Is The One Who Will Judge In Righteousness All Those Who Refuse His Salvation-

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Acts 17:30, 31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all menevery where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge theworld in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assuranceunto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

He Is The One Who Now Invites You To Receive Him As Your Lord-

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe inthine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

John 6:37 & 47 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me Iwill in no wise cast out. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hatheverlasting life.

John 10:27, 28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Acts 13:38,39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man ispreached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified fromall things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

G O D I S . . .James W. Crumpton

God is the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and the Omniscient Creator!

God is a real, knowable Person! Our hearts go out to those who nave not discovered that He is a Wonderful Person - One Whom we can know, One who cares for us, One Who loves and One with Whom we can fellowship.

God is our Heavenly Father! And what a contrast He is to those who picture Him as an angry tyrant desiring to destroy us. All that a good father is to us as human beings is but a mere shadow of His perfection as our father.

God is the Holy Spirit! He is the blessed Person Who convicts us, regenerates us, and lives in us who are the children of God.

God is Light! And should add and in Him is no darkness at all.

God is Love! As we think of His Holiness, Wrath, Justice, and Perfection, we rejoice that He is also Love. He loves sinners and wants to save them.

God is the Giver of every good and perfect gift! He cannot be tempted with sin and He does not tempt us. He test us many, many times. He does us good all the days of our lives.

God is our Lord Jesus Christ, The Saviour of sinners! God came to earth in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and arose again that we could be saved. He is not come to condemn but to save. Our sins had already condemned us. Praise His Name; He came to be condemned, damned, judged in our stead. And that is exactly what happened at Calvary. Repent that you are a sinner, trust His finished work for you, and be saved today. God is our Saviour! God is our Lord Jesus Christ! How wonderful and precious!

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Acts 20:7 says, "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them."

Where are you in these most recent statistics?

Most churches could not seat all their members if they all attended but as it is, 37% of the seats are vacant on Sunday morning, 59% are vacant Sunday evening and 71% on mid-week service night. In which category do you find yourself?

Absentee-ism is the product of apostasy which, in turn, is the product of spiritual divorce, or leaving your first love (Rev. 3:4). In other words, "I've found someone or something that I love more than the Lord."

If you attended a Bible preaching church Sunday morning and evening, your presence alone said to others, "I believe God, I get enlightened, and I get under conviction for the sins of my life. However, I also get blessed by God from His Word, and I get blessed by fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Furthermore, I get to hear God's Word taught so I learn. I hear of missions around the world and how God has promised greater blessings upon those who regularly tithe and also support missionaries. I learn that everyday God sets before me the way of blessing, if I obey Him, and the way of cursing if I do not obey him (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)."

If you were absent, you backslide a bit further and you said, "I don't need God." You robbed God of His tithes and your offerings and placed yourself under a curse (Malachi 3). God's house should see more of you, not less, as the day of His coming draws nearer (Hebrews 10:25).

Friday, September 7, 2007

Well, it happened again this week, three times. Almost every time I go into a business I have never been in before. Even though I have been in Canada since 1983, my southern (or should I say my East Texas) accent gives me away. I was asked "where are you from???"

Of course I tell ‘em I from Texas, and there generally say “I thought so”.

FRIENDS: Never ask for food.SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Always bring the food. And lots of it.FRIENDS: Will say "hello."SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss. More than one.FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad, and really mean it, too.FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Cry with you. And for you.

FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, and just being together. Then do the dishes before leaving.FRIENDS: Know a few things about you. SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you. Andmost of the time know you better than you do yourself.FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, "I'm home!" If you are not home they will wait.FRIENDS: Are for a while.SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Are for life. And then some.If one is deprived of Southern Friends, this will serve as an excellenteducational tool for why they need to look into the possibility.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Perseverance: Keep On Keeping On

In the leaflet Keep on Keeping On, Leslie B. Flynn tells of a man who handed out gospel tracts on a street corner. After years of not seeing anyone trust Christ as Savior, he quit.

Two years later he happened to pass that same familiar corner and saw a person handing out tracts. He walked over to the stranger and struck up a conversation. He learned that a little more than 2 years earlier the man had become a Christian after reading a tract he had received at that corner.

"Many a time I've come back here to find the man to thank him," said the stranger, "but he never came back. So I decided he must have died and gone to his reward. That's why I've taken his place!"

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

AntsNot pantsDesigner’s ants.But if that’s where they came from,All those ants.Wait!Before the spray.Before putting them away.What can we learn from the Designer’s Ant’s?Social insect. More then 5,000 species.Heat-loving. Love the tropics, hate the snow.Take care of their brood, not out of affectionBut because when the young are fed,The larva secrete a sweet juice loved by adult ants.This food exchange is called prophylaxis.But that’s learning about them.Let’s learn from them.From the Book of Books.From the Designer’s Book.About the Designer’s Ants.In the BibleAnts mentioned twice in Proverbs(6:6-11; 30:25)Both with regard to the subject of initiative.Both times with respect to the kind of initiativeThat causes an insect or a person to get started,To self-start, to get the work done now,While there is timeBefore it is too late.Ants.Designer ants.Ants chosen by deign to teach usThat the LORD who madeThe antsIs the LORD who made us.The same LORD who wants His own,In obedience to Him,To get started,Self-started,Like the ant.Not whippedNot badgeredBut like the one who“…having no captain, overseer or ruler,provides her supplies in the summer, and gathersher food in the harvest” (Prov. 6:6-8)

Sunday, September 2, 2007

THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD walked far apartOn the changing shores of time,The World was singing a giddy song,And the Church a hymn sublime."Come, give me your hand," said the merry World"And walk with me this way!"But the good Church hid her snowy handsAnd solemnly answered "Nay,I will not give you my hand at all,And I will not walk with you;Your way is the way that leads to death;Your words are all untrue."

"Nay, walk with me but a little space,"Said the World with a kindly air;"The road I walk is a pleasant road,And the sun shines always there;Your path is thorny and rough and rudeBut mine is broad and plain;My way is paved with flowers and dewAnd yours with tears and pain;

The sky to me is always blue,No want, no toil I know;The sky above you is always dark,Your lot is a lot of woe;There's room enough for you and meTo travel side by side."

Half shyly the Church approached the WorldAnd gave him her hand of snow;And the old World grasped it and walked along,Saying, in accents low,"Your dress is too simple to please my taste;I will give you pearls to wear,Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form,And diamonds to deck your hair."The Church looked down at her plain white robes,And then at the dazzling World,And blushed as she saw his handsome lipWith a smile contemptuous curled."I will change my dress for a costlier one,"Said the Church, with a smile of grace;Then her pure white garments drifted away,And the World gave, in their place,Beautiful satins and shining silks,Roses and gems and costly pearls;While over her forehead her bright hair fellCrisped in a thousand curls.

"Your house is too plain," said the proud old World,"I'll build you one like mine;With walls of marble and towers of gold,And furniture ever so fine."So he built her a costly and beautiful house;Most splendid it was to behold;Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt thereGleaming in purple and gold;Rich fairs and shows in the halls were held,And the World and his children were there.Laughter and music and feasts were heardIn the place that was meant for prayer.There were cushioned seats for the rich and the gay,To sit in their pomp and pride;But the poor who were clad in shabby array,Sat meekly down outside.

"You give too much to the poor," said the World."Far more than you ought to do;If they are in need of shelter and food,Why need it trouble you?Go, take your money and buy rich robes,Buy horses and carriages fine;Buy pearls and jewels and dainty food,Buy the rarest and costliest wine;My children, they dote on all these things,And if you their love would winYou must do as they do, and walk in the waysThat they are walking in."

The angel drew near to the mercy seat,And whispered in sighs her name;Then the loud anthems of rapture were hushedAnd heads were covered with shame;And a voice was heard at last by the ChurchFrom Him who sat on the throne,"I know thy works, and how thou hast said,`I am rich, and hast not knownThat thou art naked, poor and blind,And wretched before my face;'Therefore from my presence cast I thee out,And blot thy name from its place."

So the poor were turned from her door in scorn,And she heard not the orphan's cry;But she drew her beautiful robes aside,As the widows went weeping by.

Then the sons of the World and the Sons of the ChurchWalked closely hand and heart,And only the Master, who knoweth all,Could tell the two apart.Then the Church sat down at her ease, and said,"I am rich and my goods increase;I have need of nothing, or aught to do,But to laugh, and dance, and feast."The sly World heard, and he laughed in his sleeve,And mockingly said, aside"The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church;And her shame is her boast and her pride."